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You might also like: Responsible Tourism in Scotland – 14 Travel Tips for a Positive Impact 2. The South is Incredibly Diverse The Maxwell Stuarts have lived in Traquair House since 1491, making it the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland. The whitewashed facade is strikingly handsome, with narrow windows and trim turrets surrounding the tiniest of front doors – in other words it’s a welcome change from other grandiose stately homes. Inside, you can see original vaulted cellars, where locals once hid their cattle from raiders; the twisting main staircase as well as the earlier medieval version, later a secret escape route for persecuted Catholics; a carefully camouflaged priest’s hole; and even a priest’s room where a string of resident chaplains lived in hiding. In the museum room there is a wealth of treasures, including a fine example of a Jacobite Amen glass, a rosary and crucifix owned by Mary, Queen of Scots, and the cloak worn by the Earl of Nithsdale during his dramatic escape from the Tower of London. We chose to stay in two central locationsnear Melrose and Newton Stewart and did day trips from there. It is also possible to travel around the south road trip-style, i.e. changing accommodation every night or two. Distances are so feasible though, that this is not necessary if you prefer a more relaxed travel style. Abbotsford House, the former home of Sir Walter Scott – a significant figure of the historical fiction genre and best-selling author way beyond Scotland – might just be one of the most impressive homes in all of Scotland. It looks nothing like the farmhouse Scott bought here in 1812, but more like a fairy tale castle. We stayed at a large holiday home in Newstead, about a 5-minute drive from the centre of Melrose (25 minutes on foot). The Old Paper House is a converted farmhouse with beautiful exposed wooden beams, tasteful decoration and a massive garden. It has 4 bedrooms and space for up to 8 people. Perfect for a family trip like ours!
Drive toward Dumfries, and stop after 40 minutes in colorful Kirkcudbright (ask a local how to pronounce it!) on the coast for sea air and views of the 16th-century MacLellan’s Castle. After 45 more minutes on the road, you’ll arrive in Dumfries, following in the footsteps of Scotland’s most famous wordsmith and national bard, Robert Burns. Visit the Burns House (where he spent his final years), have lunch at the Globe Inn (the master’s favorite watering hole) and look out for his statue in the town square.AD: Following reverses elsewhere in the empire the garrison of Britannia is put under continuing pressure with both troop relocations and from the resurgent Caledonian tribes. Roman withdrawal from Scotland is from hereon undertaken in fairly rapid then consolidating stages further south. These retreats probably closely paralleled tribal boundaries or major natural features such as rivers. Evacuated tribal areas were most likely bound with treaties and agreements of aid and military assistance as was common along the Rhine frontier. Suggested staged withdrawal:
Explore this striking new land art that transformed a former coal mine into an incredible outdoor attraction. AD: Warfare in Scotland prosecuted for the Romans by the martinet General Ulpius Marcellus. Hostilities are not concluded till 184 when Commodus is acclaimed Imperator and takes the title “Britannicus”. An altar records a legionary vexillation based at Castlecary at this time while Mumrills may have been rebuilt. It is also possible Cramond and perhaps Carriden remained in continuous occupation through to early next century however by the mid 180s it would appear that all other Roman posts in Scotland without recourse to easy re-supply from the sea are given up as untenable.This region of Northern England is covered in castles, some ruined others, very well preserved, and many are within easy driving distance of the Holy Island. The geography of Scotland is distinguished by its Highlands and Lowlands, two primary regions that vary greatly in terrain and character. The Highlands, located in the northern and western parts of the country, are renowned for their rugged, mountainous landscapes. The tallest peak in the region and the entire United Kingdom is Ben Nevis, which stands at an impressive elevation of 4,413 feet. The Highlands also include the Grampian Mountains, a range that stretches from the southwest to the northeast and features numerous peaks above 3,000 feet. I highly recommend a walk around the walled garden adjacent to the house and a wander along the woodland trails around the estate!
An hour’s drive away is Scotland’s most southwesterly point, the jaw-droppingly dramatic Mull of Galloway. Grab a bite to eat at Gallie Craig, a clifftop coffee shop with breathtaking vistas from the viewing platform outside – then book a tour of the iconic Mull of Galloway Lighthouse and climb its 115 steps to the lantern room and balcony. The panorama that opens up extends to Northern Ireland, Cumbria and the Isle of Man. There are not many large roads going from east to west in the south of Scotland. We followed the winding A708 from Selkirk to Moffat. This road runs right through the Moffat Hills, a range within the Southern Uplands, and is a scenic experience that rivals that of a Highlands road trip. Stop 1: Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve The best pubs in Dumfries & Galloway| A bar to highlight in Dumfries & Galloway is The Grapes in Stranraer, a popular pub and music venue. The owner is a huge country fan and often brings over acts from the American south and from all over Europe to play at the pub, and there are regular trad music sessions as well. Day 5: Dumfries & GallowayEven Queen Victoria loved it! When she stayed at Abbotsford during her first trip to Scotland, she took inspiration from the turrets and gabling and remodelled her own Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, in a similar way. These retreats were such that Tacitus writing (with hindsight) in ca 98 would claim that Caledonia was: “conquered then immediately thrown away”. This lovely small town lies on the banks of the River Tweed and is perfect to stretch your legs or stop for lunch. There are quirky cafes and shops and many walks to into the surrounding landscape start right in the centre of Peebles. The historic county of Wigtownshire spreads across two peninsulas – the hammer-shaped Rhins of Galloway in the west, and the triangle-shaped Machars peninsula in the east. We spent two days exploring these two areas, which gives you an idea for how much there is to see here! Stop 1: Wigtown The town is host to the annual Galloway Roots Country Music Festival which takes place in October, but even outside of the festival dates, the bars in Stranraer, led by the Grapes Bar, is bringing music from around the world to the southwest of Scotland.
Allow me to exaggerate: no one is going to Scotland’s southern regions. While many locals and domestic visitors consider them among their favourites, mostinternational visitors will never set foot to areas south of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Lowlands, situated in the southern and eastern parts of Scotland, are characterized by rolling hills and fertile valleys. This region contains the majority of the country's population and agricultural activities, including the cultivation of crops such as barley and wheat. The Central Lowlands, also known as the Midland Valley, are particularly significant as they encompass the country's two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Galloway Forest Park is a beautiful recreational area for hikers and cyclists and has many scenic picnic areas too. It is recognised as Dark Sky Park and if you are keen to learn more about the night skies above, I can highly recommend a detour to the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory near Dalmellington. They also host educational stargazing evenings which you can book online for any of the nights you spend in Dumfries & Galloway.We had to make our way to the airport at a good pace and chose the most direct path north through the Galloway Forest Park. That way, the road was our sightseeing and we only stopped for a few photos of mountain and forest views in the area. We actually did not manage to stop in Peebles. Instead, we were headed to Galashiels for a big shop before the rain came crashing down. Additional stop: The Pentland Hills
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